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Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360

Top of the World Views at Double Peak Park in San Elijo Hills, San Marcos California

I took a walk around Double Peak Park in San Elijo Hills, as master planned community in San Marcos, California. This newly created park (less than 1 year old) has incredible views in all directions, south to San Diego, north to Orange  and Riverside Counties and of course of the ocean.

It was a bit hazy and breezy and with the sun there are some moments when the visibility is not the best. It's well worth checking out if you are in the area.

READ:

A Peak at a Double Peak in San Marcos

San Elijo Hills - Award Winning Master Planned Community

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If I can provide more information about San Marcos real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Search for Homes Community Information First Time Home Buyers Relocation Services and more How to get in touch with me

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Carlsbad Real Estate - New Homes at 53 Melrose in Carlsbad California

Buyers in the Carlsbad real estate market have yet another round of choices for new homes at 53 Melrose in southeast Carlsbad California. 

Carlsbad real estate new homes at 53 Melrose signageThe newest subdivision in Carlsbad over the hill from La Costa and just north of La Costa Oaks is starting construction, with the first wave of new homes at 53 Melrose scheduled for occupancy around the April 2010 time frame. This subdivision is located at the corned of Melrose (hence the name) and Rancho Santa Fe Road, with a total of 53 homes being built - thus rest of the name. 

53 Melrose offers 3 floor plans, ranging from 2025 SF to 2411 SF with 3 or 4 bedrooms and 3 or 3.5 baths. All homes are two-story and one plan offers a downstairs bedroom. Beginning prices will be in the $520,000 to $540,000. Given the activity we area seeing in the other new construction communities in Carlsbad, these homes will likely not sit around for long. 

Carlsbad real estate new homes at 53 MelroseThe builder, D. R. Horton, has an excellent reputation (builder of Villareal in La Costa Greens) and Carlsbad buyers interested in new detached homes under $600,000 have a rare opportunity - the large parcels of land to be developed as subdivision as about gone, with the only other area being Robertson Ranch. 

Children will attend the San Marcos Schools which includes the La Costa Meadows Elementary School

No homes have been built yet but the models are expected to be far enough along in construction for tours in December.

If I can provide more information or arrange a personal tour, please let me know. And keep in mind the extension of the first time home buyer credit until April 30, 2010.

Other New Construction Homes in the Carlsbad real estate market:

La Costa Oaks - Rockledge (high $600s to mid $700s)

La Costa Oaks - CopperWood ($700s and $800s)

La Costa Greens - Viridian ($900s)

La Costa Greens - Trieste (high $600s to high $700s)

La Costa Greens - Avellino  (townhomes in the high $400s and $500s)

La Costa Greens - SolTerra (mid to high $500s)

READ MORE:

Carlsbad Village by the Sea

La Costa - A Great Residential Community in Carlsbad

La Costa Greens - Master Planned Community

La Costa Oaks - Master Planned Community in La Costa Carlsbad

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Search for Homes Community Information First Time Home Buyers Relocation Services and more How to get in touch with me

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Carlsbad Property Taxes - Do You Need to Appeal Your Assessment?

Carlsbad Property Taxes - Do you need to appeal your assessment?

My guess is that you do.

If you don't know the answer, you do.

Property taxes can cost you big moneyThe assessed values of many homes in Carlsbad (and certainly elsewhere in San Diego County) have declined due to the housing market. So too have the assessed values which the San Diego County Assessor's Office uses to determine your property taxes.

If you believe your property's assessed value has declined, there IS something you can do - file an APPLICATION FOR CHANGED ASSESSMENT before November 30, 2009 for this current tax period to request a reassessment.

The form and instructions can be downloaded from the County of San Diego Appeals Board page or email me and I will send you the pdf.

You simply complete the appropriate sections of the form, sign and date it, and be sure to include the CURRENT value of the land and the structures (from your tax bill), PLUS YOUR estimate of value for these items, and you're done.

While there is no guarantee that your request will be honored, given the decline in values it is well worth a few minutes of your time. What do you have to lose but a few minutes of your time and the cost of a stamp?

Note that this is for 1 YEAR ONLY, and it is critical to still pay your current property taxes as billed on time.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Search for Homes Community Information First Time Home Buyers Relocation Services and more How to get in touch with me

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for October 2009

Oceanside real estate market report header

The Oceanside real estate market has undergone many shifts and continues to evolve, especially with the number of distress sales. This report does not include any private sales nor manufactured or mobile housing; the numbers are derived from the MLS and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed.

Media reports speak in general terms, so information may not represent the reality of the local Oceanside real estate market. Having data from a knowledgeable agent about local market conditions benefits you as the buyer or seller for making informed decisions about a purchase or sale.

READ MORE: Oceanside California - A Growing and Changing Coastal San Diego Community

In October 2009 there were 201 homes sold in Oceanside's 4 zip codes (92054, 92056, 92057, 92058), as compared to 219 in September (a decrease of 8%). Here's the breakdown of overall activity.

TOTAL

DETACHED

ATTACHED

# Sold

201 (down 8%)

136 (no change)

65 (down 23%)

Average $

$291,254 (down 1%)

*$339,247 (down 4%)

** $191,880 (down 4%)

Days on Market

60

63

55

Sale $/List $

100%

100% (77-118%)

101% (85-122%)

* One home was reported as selling for $208 when in fact it sold for $280K. This average has been corrected to make the adjustment for the error in reporting on the MLS.

** One home was reported as selling for $206 when it actually sold for $206,000. This average has been corrected to make the adjustment for the error in reporting on the MLS

In Oceanside there were 295 homes with a contingent status at the end of October, 4% fewer than at the end of September. This represents 63% of all the homes for sale. Buyers entering the Oceanside real estate market are seeing almost 2/3s of the inventory already with offers in for approval for short sales and REOs. (Note: these are not the only short sale and REO homes for sale). These contingent homes are included in the overall Active stats below.

At the end of October 2009 the Oceanside real estate market had 763 homes for sale, up 6% from September. This represents an inventory of 3.1 months for detached homes (down from 3.1 month in September) and 4 months for attached homes (up slightly from September) based on the current rate of sales over the last 6 months.

In October 164 homes came on the market, 59% fewer than last month. During October 177 homes went pending, 25% less than last month.

More details can be provided with regard to current activity in the Oceanside real estate market as well as within the specific zip codes or subdivisions.

READ MORE:

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for September 2009

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for August 2009

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for July 2009

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for June 2009

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for May 2009

Oceanside Real Estate - Oceanside Real Estate Market Report for March and April 2009

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If I can provide more information about Oceanside real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Search for Homes Community Information First Time Home Buyers Relocation Services and more How to get in touch with me

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Cardiff Real Estate - Cardiff Real Estate Market Report for October 2009

Cardiff real estate market report header

As a buyer or seller in the Cardiff real estate market, having information about the current market conditions will enable you to make an informed decision regarding what to do with regard to buying a home in Cardiff, or selling your Cardiff home.

The Cardiff real estate market is small and very localized, and knowing what is going on with regard to inventory and sales is important for making a buying or selling decision. Finding comparables for determining price for either a listing or a purchase can sometimes be tricky because of the limited inventory.

READ MORE: Cardiff by the Sea

Here is a summary of the Cardiff real estate market for October 2009 based on information provided by the MLS (private sales are not included). These data are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed.

TOTAL

DETACHED

ATTACHED

# SOLD

7 (down 36%)

6

1

Average $

$852,909 (up 2%)

$865,833 (down 27%)

$329,000

DOM

113

110

76

Sale $/List $ Ratio

97%

96%

100%

The number of homes sold in Cardiff in September declined, with 4 fewer homes sold than in September. Average sales prices dropped fairly significantly but it would be unwise to draw any firm conclusions of the pricing trends or other trends due to the small number of homes sold. The attached sale was a short sale; 1 detached sale was an REO and 1 was a short sale, thus distress sales accounted for 43% of the Cardiff sales in October.

At the end of October there were 8 homes in the Cardiff real estate market with a Contingent status (i.e., short sale and REO homes that had offers being reviewed by the lenders). Until approved these homes are considered active and, thus, are included in the Active statistics below.

As of October 2009 there were 53 Cardiff homes for sale, 3 more than last month. This represents an inventory of only 3.4 months for attached homes (up from 2.9 months in September 2009) and 8.9 months for detached homes (up from 6.8 months in September).

12 Cardiff homes came on the market in October, 1 more than in September, with 11 homes going pending during the same period, 1 less than in September.

READ MORE: How Important is Inventory when Buying or Selling? Very!!

Data are based on information provided by the MLS for homes that went under contract in the last couple of months. If you would like more details about the Cardiff real estate market with regard to current activity as well as the specific areas such as the Walking District and the Composer District, please let me know.

READ MORE:

Cardiff Real Estate Market Report for September 2009

Cardiff Real Estate Market Report for August 2009

Cardiff Real Estate Market Report for July 2009

Cardiff Real Estate Market Report for June 2009

Cardiff Real Estate May 2009 Market Report

Cardiff Real Estate April 2009 Market Report

Cardiff Real Estate March 2009 Market Report

Cardiff Real Estate February 2009 Market Report

Cardiff Real Estate January 2009 Market Report

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Follow Jeff Dowler on Twitter Subscribe in a reader

If I can provide more information about Cardiff real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Search for Homes Community Information First Time Home Buyers Relocation Services and more How to get in touch with me

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits